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Posts tagged bmw 7 series
Spy Shots: 2016 BMW 7 Series spied for the first time ever
Feb 28th
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW, Luxury
Ladies and gentlemen, Bimmerphiles and automotive voyeurs of all stripes: here is your next-generation BMW 7 Series. Captured in photographs for the first time ever while doing a spot of cold-weather testing in Sweden, this newly slim 7er will most likely debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015 and launch in the 2016 model year.
Sources indicate that BMW is targeting a much lighter curb weight for the 7 Series, and will use learnings gained with the i3 and i8 development to add carbon fiber-reinforced plastics in the construction. In return we’d expect the new model – which uses the internal model designation “G11″ – to offer improvements in handling, acceleration and fuel economy. As with the current 7 Series lineup, expect the engine range to include turbocharged inline-six engines, one or more V8s and a V12 option.
It’s fair to say that, with the car’s debut still years down the road, that BMW will work to launch with an impressive suite of in-car technology, too. A completely new version of iDrive shouldn’t be ruled out. These shots mark the beginning of a long journey to 2015, and we expect to have loads more information to share in the coming months and years, so stay tuned.
2016 BMW 7 Series spied for the first time ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Review: 2013 BMW 750Li
Dec 17th
Filed under: Sedan, BMW, First Drives, New Car Reviews, Luxury
Bavarian Hustler Gets Solid Update Including Stunning New iDrive
For a while now, the absolute and rather uncontested king of big luxury executive sedan sales worldwide has been the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Among the obvious competition, there has been an almost unspoken agreement that this is so, and that it shall remain so for our lifetimes. Clearly, this is regardless of the fact that the motoring press – i.e. we the so-called “experts” – have generally preferred this generation of Audi A8/S8, or the sporting BMW 7 Series in its various trims. But hey, what do we know?
Deliveries of this midlife-update BMW 750Li to US dealers began back at the end of September, and we waited deliberately until now to delve deeply into it. Visually, aside from some small aesthetic changes, there is little difference on the surface between this 2013 model and the 2012 model it replaces, the main change being that it gets the latest edition of BMW’s iDrive system, which in software terms is version 4.2.
We’ll get to that, but there have actually been upgrades to the twin-turbocharged V8 (“N63B44″ to those in the know) that renders this big Bimmer more of a sports car in its class, even in the long-wheelbase form tested here. Output is up by over eleven percent to 443 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, torque now stands at 479 pound-feet for a more modest gain of just under seven percent between 2,000 and 4,500 revs. Acceleration to 60 miles per hour is claimed at 4.7 seconds using the eight-speed Steptronic automatic, a time that seems almost freakishly quick for a 4,660-pounder that stretches 17.1 feet from bumper to bumper.
Continue reading 2013 BMW 750Li
2013 BMW 750Li originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Automotive head-up displays to get second wind as safety devices?
Nov 27th
Filed under: Safety, Technology
Having gone from the C5 Corvette to the bygone Lexus HS 250h to the BMW 7 Series, the heads-up display has entered the “Meh…” phase of technology. To return it to the avant-garde, makers of such displays are working on new and larger applications of the technology that can provide new types of safety information without distracting drivers.
The end-all-be-all objective is a windshield-wide display that can project sufficiently bright notifications such as warnings of pedestrians in the way or road shoulder lines in heavy fog. That is many years away, however; a unit that could do that, using modern technology, would take up half the space behind the instrument panel, create an unworkable amount of heat and need to utilize a sub-optimal arrangement of optics for viewing.
But that is what carmakers are said to be looking forward to down the line, and what suppliers like Japan’s Nippon Seiki, the world’s largest supplier of HUDs, are working on. The final product would provide an augmented reality environment for the driver with large, bright, high-contrast images. While one analyst has said he expects the number of automakers using HUDs to go up from the current nine to 14 by 2016, he believes we’re “well over five years” away from beginning to see full-screen displays, and that even then they probably won’t make it on cars that cost under $30,000.
Automotive head-up displays to get second wind as safety devices? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rumormill: BMW M750i and 728i may be launching next March
Sep 26th
Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Rumormill
Fresh off its mid-cycle update, the BMW 7 Series is once again the center of rumors, this time in the context of the new swath of M-branded vehicles that BMW is set to unleash upon the world. The rumor was dropped by German blog BimmerToday, and suggests that an M750i would join the ranks of the M550d, X5 M50d, and M135i. This seems rather plausible, as BMW has long been hesitant to produce an out-and-out M7 performance saloon.
If the rumors are to be believed, the M-variant 7 Series would have a version of the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 currently in the 750i, but tuned to 450 horsepower. Power would be sent to either the rear wheels or all corners via BMW’s xDrive. The question remains, though, what would happen to the Alpina B7 if this car were to come to market? All the added power and handling seems to fall right on top of the B7′s piece of the 7 Series pie. Its future would remain to be seen.
Also in the rumor-mongering was word that there could be an entry-level 728i, employing BMW’s N20B20 turbocharged 2.0-liter mill, albeit with the help of an electric motor. Such a vehicle would be slotted below the current 740i and positioned to take on small-displacement hybrid flagships from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Remember to take these reports with perhaps a few grains of salt; but its interesting to consider the possibility of BMW expanding the 7 Series lineup in both directions.
BMW M750i and 728i may be launching next March originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Diesel-powered BMW 7 Series headed to U.S.
Jun 6th
According to a report in Car and Driver, the refreshed 2013 BMW 7 Series will be offered with diesel power here in the Untied States. The flagship BMW will be powered by the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that’s found elsewhere in the Roundel lineup, though as of this moment, it’s still unclear what sort of power or fuel economy figures are expected in the 7 Series. Expect the production model to wear either 735d or 740d nomenclature.
For reference, the BMW X5 xDrive35d with this same engine produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive X5 crossover is able to achieve up to 26 miles per gallon when equipped with the 3.0-liter diesel engine. The 7 Series is indeed a big boy, but we expect it to achieve better fuel economy numbers than the X5.
Car and Driver says that the diesel 7 Series should arrive in about one year’s time, where it will compete against the Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec and Audi A8 3.0 TDI for diesel-powered luxury supremacy. The rest of the updated 2013 7 Series range goes on sale this summer.
Diesel-powered BMW 7 Series headed to U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Diesel-powered BMW 7 Series headed to U.S.
Jun 5th
Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Diesel, Luxury
According to a report in Car and Driver, the refreshed 2013 BMW 7 Series will be offered with diesel power here in the Untied States. The flagship BMW will be powered by the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that’s found elsewhere in the Roundel lineup, though as of this moment, it’s still unclear what sort of power or fuel economy figures are expected in the 7 Series. Expect the production model to wear either 735d or 740d nomenclature.
For reference, the BMW X5 xDrive35d with this same engine produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive X5 crossover is able to achieve up to 26 miles per gallon when equipped with the 3.0-liter diesel engine. The 7 Series is indeed a big boy, but we expect it to achieve better fuel economy numbers than the X5.
Car and Driver says that the diesel 7 Series should arrive in about one year’s time, where it will compete against the Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec and Audi A8 3.0 TDI for diesel-powered luxury supremacy. The rest of the updated 2013 7 Series range goes on sale this summer.
Diesel-powered BMW 7 Series headed to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: 2013 BMW 7 Series arrives with more power, gadgets and safety
May 25th
Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury
The 2013 BMW 7 Series gets incremental improvements everywhere. Outside the changes are minimal: fewer vertical slats inside the kidney grille and a larger chrome surround, two horizontal chrome accents bars splitting the lower intake, restyled side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, and new shades of red on the taillights. Inside are resculpted front seats, more soundproofing, redesigned ambient lighting, an updated iDrive controller and “floating” screens for the Rear Seat Entertainment package, and an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system. Along with those changes, the look of the navigation system has been updated with new menu organization, displays, a “pie menu” and 3D elements. The Attention Assistant system provides gives BMW drivers their own coffee cup icon to remind you when it’s time to rest and hands-free trunk operation makes its first appearance in the range.
The eight-speed steptronic transmission, fitted to every model, allows the new 7 to make more of its engines. Under the hood, the inline six-cylinder in the 740i maintains the same power ratings, 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft, but is mated to the new eight-speed Steptronic transmission and said to have “significantly improved” efficiency, with a 20 percent increase noted in the EU cycle. The 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i gets fitted with Valvetronic and gets bumps of 45 hp and 30 lb-ft, for 445 hp and 480 lb-ft total. The changes reduce its 0-60 time to 4.7 seconds, at the same time as fuel economy on the EU cycle climbs 25 percent with the new transmission.
The second-gen ActiveHybrid 7 drops down an engine size, swapping its previous V8 for the 3.0-liter six-cylinder from the 740. It’s yoked to a 55-hp synchronous motor. Rated at a combined 349 hp and 367 lb-ft, BMW says it is 14 percent more fuel efficient than the 740i.
Both the 740i and 750i will come with a new powertrain management system dubbed ECO PRO that joins the other Driving Dynamics Control settings and that includes a coasting mode operable between 30 and 100 mph. Other driving enhancements include Dynamic Damper Control, an electronically controlled damping system that works on each shock individually dependent on road conditions, self-leveling rear suspension now standard on all models, and xDrive available on the 740i.
Both the 740i and 750i will arrive in showrooms this summer, the ActiveHybrid 7 coming this fall. The high-res gallery above can show you what’s coming, scroll down to read all about it in the press release.
Continue reading 2013 BMW 7 Series arrives with more power, gadgets and safety
2013 BMW 7 Series arrives with more power, gadgets and safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: NHTSA: BMW 7 Series gearshift issue has resulted in 16 crashes, 5 injuries
Apr 16th
Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, BMW, Luxury
You had to figure that this might happen when BMW decided to reinvent the gearshift lever for the 2002 7 Series. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating the 2002-2008 7 Series since last fall, and has now “upgraded the probe to an engineering analysis,” according to an Associated Press report in The Detroit News. The Feds have found 16 crashes and five injuries related to transmission issues, and received 50 complaints about the issue, according to the report.
NHTSA’s Monthly Defect Investigations Report calls the problem “Vehicle Rollaway Allegations,” which are likely related to the design of the gear selector in the E65/E66. This generation of the 7 Series moved the traditional gearshift lever from the floor console to the steering column to make more room in the center console. In doing so, BMW abandoned the traditional P-R-N-D layout and adopted an electronic push-button selector for “Park.” The AP says at least some of the problems may be related to owners not realizing their cars were in neutral instead of park.
Our own experience has shown that even in more recent BMW’s with floor-console-mounted shifters, it can be difficult to tell whether the vehicle is in Park or not, and we find the BMW gear selector as a whole to be non-intuitive – we’re frankly surprised that NHTSA has not received more than 50 complaints concerning the issue.
NHTSA: BMW 7 Series gearshift issue has resulted in 16 crashes, 5 injuries originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: BMW 7 Series getting mid-cycle updates for 2013
Mar 16th
Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury
The 2013 BMW 7 Series has an appointment for some cosmetic surgery, according to a report in Car & Driver. The restyle will be minimal, with detail changes around the fascia going just far enough to let other 7 Series owners know that you have the latest model.
A more substantive change could occur under the skin of the ActiveHybrid 7, however. It’s nearly $13,000 more expensive than it’s non-hybrid counterparts but doesn’t make an equally hard-to-ignore case for efficiency: the ActiveHybrid 750i has 55 more horsepower than the standard car, but is rated at 17 city / 26 highway versus 15 city / 22 highway. Speculation is that the ActiveHybrid 7 could get the six-cylinder powertrain from the ActiveHyrbrid 5 to improve its green credentials.
BMW 7 Series getting mid-cycle updates for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Next gen. BMW 7 Series to use carbon fiber
Feb 29th
Filed under: Sedan, Technology, BMW, Luxury
The next BMW 7 Series, said to be arriving in 2015, will reportedly use more CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) in its build. In two interviews R&D head Dr. Klaus Draeger said the big sedan will introduce the expanded use of CFRP components into the mainstream BMW line.
Draeger made sure to say that he believes in the right material mix, making structural items like the engine cradle and crash structures in high-strength steel and using aluminum for pieces like the doors, front fenders and roof. It is thought that carbon fiber will supplant some aluminum parts like the hood, roof and trunk.
Next gen. BMW 7 Series to use carbon fiber originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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